Kandy Magistrate Srinath Wijesekera yesterday (06 Aug) ordered the release on bail of retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Priyantha Jayakody, who had been remanded after being arrested under suspicion.
Jayakody was remanded in connection with a false complaint alleging that organized criminal ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, who is in hiding overseas, had threatened him via WhatsApp.
During the court hearing, President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis, appearing on behalf of the suspect, presented submissions which led the Magistrate to grant bail.
Former SDIG Priyantha Jayakody was released on a cash bail of Rs. 10,000 and two sureties of Rs. 200,000 each.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court that, based on Jayakody’s complaint dated 2025.07.06, an investigation was launched and one suspect was arrested. That suspect, who had impersonated Kehelbaddara Padme and issued the threat, confessed that he had done so at Jayakody’s own request, leading to Jayakody’s arrest.
According to the first suspect’s statement, the meeting where the request was allegedly made took place at the One Galle Face hotel in Colombo, either in late May or early June. The CID reported that CCTV footage is being reviewed, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Due to these circumstances, the CID objected to Jayakody’s release on bail.
However, President’s Counsel Sampath Mendis argued that the CID’s claims were doubtful. He stated that his client had undergone kidney surgery on May 20 and was hospitalized during that period, later recovering at home under medical advice. Supporting documents, including medical reports, were submitted to the court.
After considering these submissions, the Magistrate issued the bail order.
Jayakody had been arrested by the CID on the 29th of July while at his residence in Mahabage. Due to deteriorating health, he was admitted to a hospital in Ragama.
Acting Magistrate Indika Athuraliya, who visited the hospital in Welisara, had previously ordered Jayakody to be remanded until yesterday.
Following that order, prison officials arranged for Jayakody to be presented before the Kandy Magistrate’s Court yesterday. (Newswire)
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